Learning new languages for some students can feel quite challenging, especially in your final years at school trying to balance study time for all of your other subjects. In this article, we hope to help you figure out how you can study best and use your time efficiently so you can feel confident and prepared.
One of the best ways to feel confident and prepared for your exams as a French student is to be familiar with the course structure and exam expectations. Think of your practice exams, course structure and curriculum like a map that can help guide you to the specific knowledge and skills you need to do your best.
In today's article we're going to focus on the Year 12 written and oral exams in Australia and find out how you can study everything you need to and feel ready to move on to university, travel or employment post-school.
The main areas of learning a language which you'll cover over the last two years of high school study are primarily be focused on these areas of learning;
- Listening
- Speaking
- Writing
- Reading
Click here to read some of our other articles about where studying French at high school in Australia can take you in the future, discover travel and academic opportunities.
You can search for how to take effective french classes here.
Areas of Study for Year 12 French
It can differ depending on which Australian state or territory you are studying French at high school, however most course structures follow areas of study which define the direction of topics covered.
For example, in VCE French Units 3 & 4 are each divided into 3 areas of study;
- Interpersonal communication
- Interpretive communication
- Presentational communication
In HSC French in NSW French HSC courses are divided into these themes which are the same as Victoria:
- The individual
- French-speaking cultures, communities and countries
- The global world
Make sure to check out your state or territory's curriculum website to learn the correct specifications for how your Year 12 course is structured and what you're expected to know and revise for the exams.
This can be the most helpful if you need advice about where to start if you're not sure what you should revise in your free study time, don't be shy to ask your teacher questions and review your notes to see if they have any grammar resources to direct you to.
Resources for French Oral Exam Revision
Learning a language is all about immersing yourself in listening, speaking and reading experiences to help expand your vocabulary, expose yourself to exciting phrases and new ways of thinking.
As we've already mentioned making sure to explore your state or territory's curriculum website to get a decent understanding of how much time you are expected to dedicate to revision, where to access the right resources and how to ask the important questions.
The VCE French oral exam for example, goes for approximately 15 minutes and is split into different 2 sections; discussion and conversation. The oral is where you'll be able to show off some of your new found knowledge about specific topics which come under the broader themes in your studies.
Finding music, TV, YouTube videos and radio shows in French which discuss topics and subjects which are relevant to your area of study can be a great way to source information and knowledge to share during your French oral exam.
Listening is now easier than ever before, pop in some headphones on your walk to school or on the weekend. Have we mentioned that watching movies about the topic you're studying in French can count as study?
On some state and territory curriculum websites, you can also access previous recordings of listening sections from the written exam which can be a helpful study tool to add to your resources. There are certainly plenty of options out there, explore which way works best for you and feel good about your exam preparation.
Explore some of our other articles with tips and tricks of how to best revise for your end of year exams.
Expectations for the French Written Exam
We've gone over some of what you'll need to know for exam revision when it comes to your French oral exam, let's now check out what you will need to review for your written examination.
Once again, before you start your written exam revision we encourage you to explore your state or territory's curriculum website, as there you can discover and learn how your exam will be structured.
The French written exam is the time for you to show off your knowledge and grammar and reading comprehension. Most commonly, the Year 12 written French exam are split into sections.
Some of these sections require you to answer in French and others will require you to answer in English. However, when it comes to writing in French it is important that what you are writing makes sense!
When it comes to studying French grammar it is not always every student's cup of tea, it can involve a bit of time with your head in the books, writing and working through practice question sheets.
For Year 12 level French writing you'll want to have a decent understanding of correct verb endings, pronouns, sentence structure and more. Sometimes this is where a private French tutor can provide you with some extra help and support when it comes to writing, grammar and vocabulary.
Let's go over some more ways you get ready for the end of the year and feel confident about your ATAR score for university:
- Keep a bullet-note diary in French
- Change your social media language to French
- Challenge yourself with practice writing questions
Everyone learns a little bit differently, so it's good to be aware of all the different ways you can support your own education.
Do you know Superprof is a good site to find French lessons Melbourne?
Extra Support
Sometimes personalised lessons and one on one support are needed, Year 12 is a busy period at school at it can sometimes feel overwhelming doing it all on your own. Here at Superprof, we've got a great range of tutors who can help you.
Have a browse through some of their profiles to see past reviews, and explore what kind of lessons they can offer you that might help with your French studies preparation. It can be tricky sometimes to keep up in a busy classroom.
Working with a private tutor can be a great way to follow up on any subjects you might be having some trouble understanding, with a tutor you can work through them at a pace that suits you and your needs.
You might discover a tutor who has recently completed Year 12 themselves and have plenty of other helpful tips and tricks to share with you so you can feel prepared for university if that's what you want to do after high school.
If you're on a tighter budget making a conversation club with your friends after school is easy, fun and affordable! Schedule one day a week to have a coffee date and choose a topic to discuss with your friends, or even go to a local crêperie!
It is also important to allow yourself to have moments in Year 12 that don't feel like you're stuck at your desk, make sure to read some of our other articles about how you can reach your academic potential in Year 12 and have fun while doing it!
Travel and Exchange
Finally, if you are a student who has a passion for travel, meeting new people then exploring the option of exchange could be a fantastic option for you after you finish your studies, and are choosing a university degree.
We hope you've found some helpful information in this article, remember that your first lesson is free with us here at Superprof. Get started today and get prepared for university study!
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